Which Audio Giants Take the Crown in 2025: A Decade-Long Comparison Between Sonos and Bose, Revealing the Superior Choice in Sound Quality
In the world of premium audio, two brands stand out: Sonos and Bose. Both offer a range of products, including soundbars, surround sound systems, smart speakers, and Bluetooth speakers. However, when it comes to design, connectivity, and sound quality, there are notable differences between the two.
Design
Sonos speakers are known for their aesthetically pleasing designs, featuring contemporary curves, matte soft-to-touch finishes, and organic shapes. On the other hand, Bose offers sleek and sophisticated designs, with extra features like handles and loops on Bluetooth speakers, and materials like glass on the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar.
Connectivity
In 2025, Bose generally offers better and more versatile connectivity options than Sonos, especially in their soundbars and portable speakers. Bose products widely support multiple wireless protocols including WiFi, Bluetooth 5.3, Apple AirPlay, Google Chromecast, Spotify Connect, and have enhanced codec support like AAC and aptX. For example, Bose Smart Soundbars include WiFi, Bluetooth, AirPlay, and Chromecast, and Bose’s recent portable speakers now use Bluetooth 5.3 with codec support for better audio quality and device interconnection.
By contrast, some Sonos models like the Sonos Ray primarily support WiFi connectivity and may not include as many Bluetooth features. Sonos focuses on WiFi-based multi-room setups but lacks Bluetooth support on several key models, limiting direct device-to-speaker pairing compared to Bose.
Additional 2025 connectivity trends include the adoption of Bluetooth LE Audio (with Auracast broadcast functionality and LC3 codec), which enhances multi-device connectivity and low-power operation, but this is not yet universally integrated across either brand's full range.
Pricing
Sonos' Arc Ultra is the most expensive product, priced at £999, while the Sonos Roam 2 is the cheapest Sonos speaker, priced at £179. Bose's Smart Ultra Soundbar is the most expensive equivalent product, priced at £899.95, and the Bose SoundLink Micro starts at £119.95, making Bose's starting price lower than Sonos.
Other Sonos speaker options include the Era 100 (£199), Bluetooth Move 2 (£399), and Era 300 (£449). Bose's soundbar options include the Solo Soundbar 2 (£179.95), TV Speaker (£269.95), and Smart Soundbar (£499.95).
Audio Quality
Both brands deliver great sound performance, with Sonos known for balanced, natural, and engaging audio, and Bose for vibrant, punchy, and exciting sound delivery with pronounced bass and treble. Bose is renowned for its superior audio quality and has a long-standing reputation as a traditional hi-fi brand.
Choosing Between Sonos and Bose
Choosing between Sonos and Bose depends on individual preferences. Sonos offers speakers with design flair and a wealth of features, while Bose offers more traditional designs and better connectivity options. Both brands offer multi-room capabilities, with Sonos' Trueplay feature enabling easy tuning of speakers to a room's acoustics, and Bose's ADAPTiQ feature offering similar functionality but with a slightly less user-friendly process.
As of 2025, neither Sonos nor Bose has announced new products. In 2024, Sonos announced the Roam 2 portable Bluetooth speaker and the flagship Arc Ultra soundbar, while Bose released its smaller Smart Soundbar and SoundLink Max portable speaker.
In summary, when it comes to connectivity, Bose is the stronger choice, offering WiFi, Bluetooth, AirPlay, Chromecast, and enhanced codec support. However, the decision between Sonos and Bose ultimately depends on individual preferences for design, audio quality, and features.
| Connectivity Feature | Bose | Sonos | |-------------------------------|------------------------------|----------------------------| | WiFi | Yes (including Chromecast) | Yes | | Bluetooth | Yes (latest 5.3, AAC, aptX) | Mostly no (depends on model)| | Apple AirPlay | Yes | Yes | | Google Chromecast | Yes | No | | Proprietary codecs & controls | Extensive (Bose app, Alexa) | Sonos app | | Multi-room wireless support | Yes (WiFi-based) | Yes (WiFi-based, strong) |
[1] Bose Connect App
[2] Sonos Connectivity
[3] Bluetooth LE Audio
[4] Auracast
- Regarding interior design, Sonos speakers exhibit contemporary curves and soft finishes, while Bose offers sleek and sophisticated designs with extra features like handles and loops.
- In terms of connectivity, Bose products in 2025 provide broader support for various wireless protocols including WiFi, Bluetooth 5.3, Apple AirPlay, Google Chromecast, Spotify Connect, and enhanced codec support like AAC and aptX.
- When it comes to price points, Bose's starting price for their speakers is lower compared to Sonos, with the Bose SoundLink Micro starting at £119.95 and Sonos Roam 2 priced at £179.
- With regards to audio quality, Bose is known for its superior audio with vibrant, punchy, and exciting sound delivery, while Sonos is recognized for balanced, natural, and engaging audio.
